Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Have two children stand in front of the class, one on one side of the room and one on the other. Have the first child hold the card labeled Birth, and have the second child hold the card labeled Eternal Life. Blindfold a third child. After turning the child around a few times, see if he or she can walk from the first child to the second child without help. Then have the two children stretch the rope or string between them, each holding an end. Have the blindfolded child try again to go from the first child to the second child, this time holding on to the rope. Discuss why the second time was easier than the first. Explain that while we live on earth we are all trying to return to Heavenly Father. He has given us something to hold on to so we can find our way back to him.

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What has Heavenly Father given us to lead us back to his presence? (Scriptures, prophets, the Holy Ghost.)

Show the picture of Jesus Christ, and tell the children that this lesson will explain how following Christ’s teachings can help us return to Heavenly Father’s presence.

Scripture Account

Using the suggested pictures and the Book of Mormon, teach the account of Lehi’s dream from 1 Nephi 8 and the interpretation of the dream from 1 Nephi 11 and 1 Nephi 15:21–36. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Explain that the scriptures often use symbols. A symbol is usually a familiar object that is used to represent a principle or teaching. For example, a lamb may be a symbol of purity, so Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God. Explain that in this lesson the children will learn about symbols that Lehi saw in a dream and their meanings.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

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Why did Lehi want his family to eat the fruit of the tree of life? (1 Nephi 8:10–12.) What does Heavenly Father want for all his children?

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Why do you think some of Lehi’s sons ate the fruit of the tree and others didn’t? (1 Nephi 8:13–17.) What are some reasons we do not always obey Heavenly Father’s commandments?

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What do the symbols in Lehi’s dream mean? Show the tree of life symbols and meanings chart, uncovering each meaning as it is discussed.

When Nephi asked the angel to show him the meaning of the tree, he saw a vision of the birth and ministry of the Savior. How do the birth and ministry of Jesus Christ show God’s great love for us?

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What does the fruit of the tree represent? (The gift of eternal life.) Nephi saw that Jesus Christ, because of his love for us, would be crucified for our sins so that we might repent and gain eternal life. Explain that eternal life means living with Heavenly Father as families in the celestial kingdom. What must we do to obtain eternal life?

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What does the iron rod represent? (The word of God.) How will reading the Book of Mormon every day help us stay on the path back to our Father in Heaven? (1 Nephi 15:24.) How has reading the Book of Mormon blessed you?

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What does the mist of darkness represent? (The temptations of the devil, which can confuse us and lead us astray.) In what ways does Satan tempt us to leave the strait and narrow path? What can we do to resist his temptations? Why are we happier if we stay on the strait and narrow path?

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What does the great and spacious building represent? (The pride of the world.) In what ways have you been made fun of because you were trying to do right? Who influences people who make fun of us?

If possible, give a labeled picture of Lehi’s dream to each child to take home. Have the children suggest choices they may make during the coming week that will help them hold on to the iron rod. (Answers may include reading daily from the Book of Mormon, obeying parents, praying, being honest, choosing good friends, choosing good entertainment, and so on.)

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

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Play a matching game. Using the information from the tree of life symbols and meanings chart, write each symbol from Lehi’s dream and the meaning of each symbol on a separate 3″ x 5″ card. Use six other 3″ x 5″ cards to make three sets of matching pictures or symbols, such as smiling faces, stars, and hearts. Mix the cards up, and place them face down in four columns on the floor or table. Have the children come up one at a time and turn over two cards. Read aloud what each says. If the cards match, leave them face up. The game is over when all the cards are face up.